How do I create a macro that uses an incrementing counter?
Use :let i=1 with macro
By combining a Vimscript variable with a macro, you can create sequences with incrementing numbers.
Tag: registers
How do I access the last Ex command I ran?
":
The : register contains the last Ex command that was executed.
How do I use the expression register for calculations?
"=2+3<CR>p
The expression register = evaluates a Vimscript expression and stores the result.
How do I clear the contents of a register?
:let @a = ""
The :let @{register} = "" command empties a register.
How do I edit a recorded macro?
"ap, edit, "add
Since macros are stored in registers, you can paste the register content into the buffer, edit it, and yank it back.
How do I copy selected text to the clipboard in visual mode?
y (in visual mode)
In visual mode, pressing y yanks (copies) the selected text into the default register.
How do I exchange two blocks of text using visual mode?
visual select + d, move, P
To swap two pieces of text, delete the first selection, navigate to the second, select it, and paste.
How do I search for visually selected text?
y/<C-r>"<CR>
To search for the exact text you have selected in visual mode, yank it and paste it into the search prompt.
How do I yank and paste a vertical block of text using blockwise registers?
<C-v>jj"ay then "ap
How it works Vim registers remember not just the text content but also the type of selection that was used to yank it: characterwise, linewise, or blockwise.
How do I programmatically manipulate register contents using setreg and getreg?
:call setreg('a', @a . 'text', 'l')
How it works Vim provides two functions for advanced register manipulation: setreg() and getreg().
How do I use a register value as the replacement string in a substitution?
:%s/pattern/\=@a/g
How it works In Vim's substitute command, the replacement string can be a Vimscript expression when prefixed with \=.
How do I execute the contents of a register as an Ex command?
:@a
How it works The command :@a executes the contents of register a as an Ex command.
What is the difference between the star register and the plus register?
"*p vs "+p
How it works Vim has two system clipboard registers that interact with the operating system: " -- the selection register (PRIMARY selection on Linux/X11, clipbo
How do I search for text I just yanked using the register?
/<C-r>0
How it works After yanking text, you can use it directly as a search pattern by inserting the yank register contents into the search prompt.
How do I insert register contents into the command line?
:<C-r>a
How it works While typing an Ex command on the command line (after pressing :), you can insert the contents of any register by pressing Ctrl-R followed by the r
How do I paste the contents of a register at a specific line number without moving my cursor?
:{line}put {register}
How it works The :put Ex command pastes the contents of a register after a specified line.
How do I delete text and save it to a specific named register?
"add
How it works When you delete text in Vim with commands like dd, dw, or x, the deleted text goes into the unnamed register and the numbered registers (1-9).
How do I store different pieces of text in separate registers for later pasting?
"ayy "byy "cyy
How it works Vim provides 26 named registers (a through z) that you can use as independent clipboards.
How do I execute buffer text as a macro dynamically?
:let @a=getline('.')<CR>@a
How it works Instead of recording keystrokes interactively, you can write a sequence of Vim commands as plain text in your buffer and then execute that text as
How do I use the expression register inside a macro for dynamic values?
qa<C-r>=expression<CR>q
How it works The expression register (=) lets you evaluate Vimscript expressions and insert the result.